NAFTA trade soars in March

NAFTA trade soars in March    Surface transportation trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada grew 37 percent in March to $69.9 billion, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
   It is the largest year-over-year increase recorded in cross-border trade via trucking, rail and pipeline, but the agency said the total value of goods moved remained 1.2 percent less than in March 2008.
   On a sequential basis, surface transport trade between the North American Free Trade Agreement partners increased 17.6 percent in March from February. Eighty-seven percent of U.S. trade with Mexico and Canada moves on land.
   U.S.'Canada surface transportation trade totaled $42.1 billion in March, up 35.6 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 19.4 percent higher in March 2010 compared to March 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 30.4 percent higher during this period.
   U.S.'Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $27.8 billion in March, up 39.1 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 39 percent higher in March 2010 than March 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.6 percent higher.
   In the past 10 years, the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with its neighbors has increased 33 percent.